Stand Up for Womens Choices: Advocates Call on Russian Doctors to Uphold Abortion Rights

Activists are urging Russian physicians to advocate for women’s abortion rights as government restrictions on accessing the procedure tighten across the country.

“Refrain from participating in propaganda. Remember that abortion remains legal in Russia. Don’t prolong the process. Support women in making their choices,” the Feminist Anti-War Resistance, a group established in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, requested medical practitioners via their online campaign titled Give Me a Choice.

“If you’re pressured by superiors to dissuade women, or if you fear inspections — you can always subtly undermine these practices from within,” the organization stated, contrasting their stance with a nationwide summer anti-abortion initiative called Give Me Life.

In Russia, abortion is legally allowed upon request until the 12th week of pregnancy, but discussions about a potential ban have intensified recently due to a worsening demographic crisis and the Kremlin’s promotion of “traditional family values.”

While government officials assert that the procedure will continue to be included in the national health insurance program, several regional clinics have halted abortion services due to increasing pressure from anti-abortion activists, local governments, and the Russian Orthodox Church.

At least 20 Russian regions, including Kursk, Vologda, and Omsk, have enacted local legislation prohibiting any form of encouragement or solicitation to terminate a pregnancy.

Russian law defines “encouragement to have an abortion” as any attempt to coerce a pregnant woman into ending her pregnancy through “persuasion, offers, bribery, or deception.”

Fines for “encouragement to have an abortion” range from up to 5,000 ($63) rubles for individuals to a maximum of 500,000 ($6,389) for entities.

In December 2023, Russian lawmakers rejected a proposal to outlaw abortions in private clinics nationwide following a warning from President Vladimir Putin against enacting stringent legal measures.